Sign construction



Oct. 10, 1961 E. CHAN 3,003,268

SIGN CONSTRUCTION Filed June 18, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. EDMUNDCHAN A TTO/PNE VS Oct. 10, 1961 E. CHAN 3,003,268

SIGN CONSTRUCTION Filed June 18, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 42 FIG. 2 I2 f' 1[8 u WIOHCJS JTMM JNVENTOR. EDMUND CHAN A TTORNEVS United States Patent(3 3,003,268 SIGN CONSTRUCTION Edmund Chan, 1917 Broderick St., SanFrancisco 15, Calif. Filed June 18, 1959, Ser. No. 821,202 10 Claims.(Cl. 40-33) This invention relates generally to a sign construction foruse in advertising or display activities, for example, in self-servicemarkets, department stores and the like.

In general, it' is an object of the invention to improve upon theconstruction of such devices, particularly with respect to means makingpossible a wide variety of word combinations for display.

It is another object of the invention to provide a sign constructionhaving a plurality of rotatable sign elements, each having a pluralityof sides bearing word-forming indicia, by which a plurality ofsuccessive substantially nonrepetitive word combinations can bemade'available for display.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description and from the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of a sign construction embodying theinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a view in rear elevation of the sign construction of FIGURE1;

FIGURE 3 is aview in vertical section on an enlarged scale, along theline 3-3 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURES 4 and 5 are detail views, like FIGURE 3, showing difierentstages in the operation of the device.

Generally stated, a sign construction of the present invention comprisesa plurality of rotatably mounted sign elements by which a Wide varietyof word combinations can be continuously made available for display.Preferably the sign elements are arranged in parallelism and mounted forrotation about horizontal axes. The elements each have a plurality ofsides bearing word-forming indicia which are most conveniently providedon .a sign element of regular polygonal cross section, An actuatingmechanism which may include a plurality of pivotally mounted strikersoperates to rotate the sign elements in unison, to initiate theformation of a new word combination. Arrester means then operate tosimultaneously engage and stop the rotation of the elements, and topermit display of a particular word combination. Synchronizing means arealso provided to insure a desired successive operation of the actuatormeans and arrester means, preferably in a continuous cycle.

In a typical sign construction, for example, as illustrated, three signelements of substantially square cross sectional configuration areemployed. Each of the four sides of a sign element is provided with adifferent word or words, compatible in phonetic relationship with thewords of the other sign elements. The words of the sign element arechosen so that any combination of three sides presented by the threeelements forms a sentence. As will be understood by one skilled in thisart, the number of possible word combinations is a geometric progressionaccording to the following formula where S is the number of sides of asign element, n is the total number of sign elements in the device, andW is the "ice number of word combinations possible. By way ofillustration, the illustrated device employing three sign elements eachhaving four sides will provide sixty-four possible word combinations fordisplay.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 10 indicates gen erally a signconstruction including an external housing 12. The housing can beself-supporting and have an open back and a plurality of displayopenings 14 in a front face. Supported for rotation within the housingare a plurality of sign elements 16. These sign elements are supportedon spindles 18 which preferably are arranged in substantial parallelism.At their operating ends, the sign elements are provided with projectingrods 20. As will appear, these rods are adapted to engage with theactuating means causing rotation of the elements.

Any suitable source of power such as the electric motor 22 can beemployed to operate the sign. In the illustrated apparatus, the motorhas a drive shaft 24 journalled in the upstanding supports 26 and 28,the latter also forming the means of support for the actuator andarrester mechanisms.

Referring to FIGURE 3, the actuator mechanism 30 is shown to comprise aplurality of actuator arms 32 mounted for pivotal movement relative tothe support 28. The arms 32 are adapted to operate in unison by means ofa vertical actuator bar 34 pivoted to the arms at their midpoint. Eacharm also supports a striker 36 for pivotal movements about a pivot point38. 'These strikers preferably have enlarged rear portions each providedwith a stop 40. The latter are connected to the actuator bar 34 by meansof springs 42 which bias the strikers into a striking position. Thestrikers function on downward pivotal movement of the actuator bar 34 toengage the projecting rods 20 of the sign elements and to rotate thelatter sharply in a clockwise direction. During this movement, the stops40 lock the strikers against pivotal movement relative to the arms 32.On upward or reverse movement of the actuator bar, the strikers functionas pawls and pivot against the pressure of the springs 42 about thepivot points 38. When the strikers have passed the rods 20 of the signelements, they are returned by the springs to the striking position(FIGURE 3).

Assuming rotation of the sign elements (as a result of actuation by themeans 30) the arrester mechanism 50 functions to simultaneously engageand stop the rotation of thesign elements. The result is a randomselection of a word combination to appear through the windows 14 of thehousing.

The illustrated arrester mechanism includes the arms 52, likewisepivoted on the support 28. These arms carry the vertically extendingarrester bar 54 at their outer ends. As will be understood, downwardpivotal movement of the arrester mechanism causes the bar 54 to movelaterally into a position of engagement with the sign elements 16 asparticularly illustrated in FIGURE 5. Preferably the bar 54 is notched,as at 56, to permit passage of the rotating corners of the signelements, just prior to engagement for display. This insuresperpendicular alignment of the outer display faces of the sign elements,in the arrested display position.

It is a feature of the invention that the striking or spinning action ofthe mechanism 30 and the arresting action of the mechanism 50 aresynchronized to successive portions of a continuous cycle. This isaccomplished in the 3. illustrated apparatus. by means of the phaserelationship of the rotating earns 60, 64, carried by the drive shaft24. Rotation of. the actuator cam 60 causes actuating mechanism 30 to beraised gradually into a striking position against the pressure of thespring 62. This function is shown in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, whichillustrate the sequence of movement of the actuating mechanism downwardthrough the striking or sign spinning stroke, during .Which the strikersare in locked position, and its gradual return movement to the strikingposition, during which the strikers pivot downward to permit passage ofthe rods 2.0. Rotation-.01 thearrestercam 6.4- causes the arrestermechanism 50 to. be-sharply; lifted against the pressure of the spring55 to an upper disengaged position. (FIGURES 3 and 4) and to be quickly"returned to a lower arresting or sign. engaging; position (FIGURE 5). Bya positioning of the'cams in an out;of phase. relationship relative tothe drive shaft, say 15- to.40.' out of phase, the cams are enabled tooperate insuccession to first cause a striking or spinning of the signelements, and a successive engaging or stoppingofi therelementsto-produce a random Word combination. Moreover, thecycle can be repeatedto 'make similar random; selections with each rotation of. the

drive shaft. V

V I have found that satisfactory operation of my device is obtained whenthey shaft 24' is rotated at a speed between: about 0.5. and. 4v r.p.m-.Such operation will act to produce a new word. combination every 15-120seconds,v depending upon the. particular speed of' rotation. Of course,slower or faster: speeds of rotation are possible: without. appreciablevariation in. the principle of operation.

Theoperationof my new. sign; construction can be summarized asfollows:

Assuming a positioning of the parts as in FIGURE 3, the arresting bar 54has; just been raised and disengaged from the rear faces of the sign.element, a position it will retain for-about 15 to 40 rotation of theshaft 24 depending on the particular design of the cam 64. The actuatingmechanism 30 has simultaneously been-:raisedto-an uppermost positionready for; the striking operation. Upon further rotation of the shaft 24to the position of FIGURE. 4 (counterclockwise in the drawing),thearrester bar will momentarily remain disengaged. However; the spring.62 causes the actuator bar 34 topivot sharply: downward, and thestrikers 36 toengage the: projecting rods 20. of the sign elements.During-this striking movemennthe strikers are held in locked: positionby the stops 40 so that a rapid spinning movement. is imparted to thesign elements 16, about their axes 18. Upon continued rotation of thedrive. shaft, the. arresting: mechanism is pivoted 'downward. causingthe bar 54 to engage the rear faces of the sign; elements, therebystopping their rotation. This movement is. causedby the downward pull ofthe spring 55.. 'Itiwill be, noted thatthe construction is such thatthe; strikers remain in'the down position until the arrester bar-54has:engaged; and stopped the sign elements in the display position, whichcomprises the major part of. the cycle. Thereafter, the actuatingmechanism is first. returned to the raised. position of FIGURE 3, thearrester bar: remaining in the sign engaging position. During this;movement, illustrated in FIGURE 5, the striker elements; rock abouttheirpivots 38 so as to pass the; rods. 2.0,v When the strikershavereached anuppermQ t position, the arrester cam 64 functions to again raise thebar;5410. release the sign elements for spinning duringthesubsequentdownward or actuating stroke of the strikers; In: this. way, successive,spinning and displayportions: of; the. cycle: ofv the sign are madepossible in a fully automatic continuous operation.

The; above descri tion has related specifically to a sign:ccnstructionemploying threeasign elements 16, each having; flour: sides;Itiwill. be evidentzto. those skilled in thisartnhcgiveventthat manyvariations. in this construction as. well as. other. differening.embodiments. and applications are possible without a departure from thespirit and scope of the invention. For example, it is contemplated thatthe sign elements may have any number of sides; likewise the number ofsign elements'may be substantially different. Thus signs employing asmany as five elements each having five or more sides are contemplated.Such variation would, of course, greatly increase the number of possibleword combinations so that the use is limited only. by the'imaginationand ingenuity of the user in conceiving slogans or sentences fordisplay. Accordingly it, should be understood that the disclosuresanddescnption'hereinare purely illustrative and not intended to be in. anysense limiting.

I claim: a 7 a p 1. In a fully automatic; sign construction, movablemeans providing a wide; variety: of random word combinations fordisplay, said means comprising a plurality of sign elements arranged inparallelism and mounted for rotation about their axes, said elementseach having at least three sides bearing word-forming indicia, strikingmeans adapted to impart free rotation to said sign elements, arrestermeans adapted to engage and stop the free rotation of said elements, andmeans synchronizing the operation of said striking and arrester means tosuccessive portions of a continuous cycle, whereby different randomcombinations ofword-forming indicia are continuously and cyclicallyproduced by said sign construction.

2. A sign construction as in claim 1 wherein the cross sectionalconfiguration of a sign element is a regular polygon.

3. A sign construction asin claim 1 wherein said striking means includesreciprocally mounted strikers.

4. A sign construction as in claim 1, wherein said arrester meansincludes a vertically and laterally movable arrester bar adapted tosimultaneously engage a side of each of said sign elements. 7

5. A sign construction as in claim 1 wherein said synchronizing meansincludes a pair of rotatablev cams locked to adrive shaft, onecontrolling operation of the striking means. and the other the operationof the arrester means.

6. In a sign construction, movable means providing a wide variety ofrandom. word combinations for display, said means comprising .aplurality of sign elements arranged in parallelism and mounted. forrotation about their axes, said elements each having at least threesides bearing word-forming indicia, pivotally mounted striking meansadapted on operation tcrsnike and impart free rotation to. said sign.elements, a pivotallymounted arrester bar adapted tov engage and, stopthe free rotation of said sign elements, and cam means synchronizing thepivotal, operation of said striking. means and said arrester means tosuccessive. portions of. acontinuous cycle, whereby diiferent randomcombinationsof words are continuously and. cyclically. produced by saidsign construction.

7. A sign construction as.in.claim 6 wherein said strika ing meansincludes a plurality. ofpivotally mounted actuator arms carryingpivotally mounted strikers at their outer free ends, said. strikersbeingadapted to operate in unison to rotate said sign. elements. I

8. A sign construction asin claim 7 wherein said strikers are mounted aspawls to'permit pivotal movements ofthe. strikers .in. one direction andto prevent such movements in a reverse direction.

9. In a sign construction, means providing a wide variety of random wordcombinations for display, said means comprising: a plurality of signelements arranged in parallelism and mouned for free rotation abouttheir axes, said sign elements being of regular polygonal cross sectionso as to present a plurality of sides bearing wordforming indicia;actuator: means operable tostrike and cause freeirotation'rof said"sign=elements =about their axes,

said actuator means including a plurality of pivotally mounted actuatorarms, an actuator bar carried by said arms, pivotally mounted strikerscarried by the free ends of said arms, and resilient means biasing saidstrikers into a striking position; pivotally mounted arrester meansadapted to simultaneously engage and thereby stop the free rotation ofsaid sign elements, said arrester means including a plurality ofpivotally mounted arrester arms and an arrester bar carried by the freeends of said arms; and means synchronizing the operation of saidactuator means and said arrester means, said synchronizing meansincluding a continuously operating shaft and a pair of cams, one of saidcams being engageable to shift said actuator means and the other beingengageable to shift said arrester means.

10. A sign construction as in claim 8 wherein said arrester bar isnotched to avoid interference with rotating corners of the signelements, just before contact of the bar with rear sides of said signelements.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

